I find myself replacing line quite often. Whether it's from wear, tangles or snags my spool is never as full as I'd like it. Maxima being $8 a shot I started tying new line onto a partial spool and topping it off. I'll usually strip off 60-70 yards of line off and tie new line on with a blood knot. Does anyone else do this and if so have you ever lost a really nice fish because of it?

I wouldnt do that, ande or mcoy in big spools are the cheapest way to go

The only potential problems you'll run into are that mono, if left on the spool too long, develops a wicked curl due to memory and in a slack line situation (which is something to be avoided anyway) may cause the line to bunch up...also, old mono backing may develop nicks in it over time--and of course a blood knot can get old on your thumb...

Try filling half of your spool or so with braided dacron backing, the stuff flyfishers use. It's got no memory, lays nicely on the reel, and pays for itself after you swap mono tips a couple of times...plus the knots lay rather flat...er...which only really matters if you're using a baitcaster...just lay enough mono on there so you don't feel the knot when your working line is out. I got tired of replacing whole spools of line but carry an extra spool with me--good for 3 or four respools.

I'm unsure about dacron on a spinning reel, though...

I have done it for years and never even had a fish get to the blood knot.

Have gone through the same process both ways this Winter, half the line and a blood knot or replacing the whole spool. Finally came to the conclusion that izorline at about six bucks a spool will get me three refills. For all the effort I'm expending, just don't want to have to worry about it. Next step I guess will be a bulk spool. Any suggestions as to where to buy?

I use Maxima Crystal Ivory for my main line, Alittle softer then Ultra green But when I called and asked the company about it they said it had the same break strength as Ultra green, Same abrasion resistance as Ultra green, But was put out in that bulk spool of 1100yrds to compete with the Andes of the world, And at the price of 8.00 bucks a spool for 1100yds I change mine very often, Run 12lb main and 10lb Ultra Green leader and the leader gives up first. Very satisfied...

That is a good way to lose the fish of a lifetime, would'nt it suck to lose a 25lb steelie cause the knot broke! Cabela's sells maxima in 3300yd service spools, 10 or 12lb test for $51.99 thats about 1/4 the price of the filler spools. I have been working on my spool for a couple yrs, I keep it in a cool dark place,and have found it to be as strong as new.

I have been using a blood knot to join old line with new line for the past 3 years. I have never had a fish yet take me down to the knot. But I go more than half to maybe three quarters down into the spool before I make the connection. I fly fish a lot too. And I have that blood knot tested everytime I get a fish on. And I seldom had that knot break on either one of Yakima's finest or on an occasional Steelhead. When I have fish break off it's becuase of "ME" and not the knot or the line. I also own several reels. Some of these reels only get used once or twice a season and sometimes not at all. I keep the line of them unchanged because of the little use they get. Some of that line is more than 2 years old and maybe even 3. Use common sense and if you think the line is abused or if you don't have confidence in it then change it. But keep in mind that those who are in the tackle business would love to convince you and me that we need to go out and buy a new spool of line at least once a year if not twice. Let's see, $8.00 to $16.00 a fishermen a year times 1,000,000 fishermen around the U.S. is . . . Well, you do the math. And don't be afraid of using a blood knot.

I cant seem to find that Ivory Cristal Maxima Line,can someone give me a good place to call....think I will be ordering a few spools.

thanks,
wigle

Try Sufix Supreme line. It is every bit as good as Maxima (I think it is better) and you can buy it at the E-Angler website for 6.99 plus shipping for a 1/4 lb. spool (that is about a thousand yards).

Pinkwigly, the only place I know that sells the crystal ivory is G.I.Joes, the closest one to you is Lynnwood. I think I've seen it at Jerry's surplus in N.Everett, and Isn't there a jerry's in Mt.Vernon or Burlington.

Outdoor Emporium in Seattle carries Crystal ivory in bulk spools. I usually fill my spools without any backing, I run Izorline on my spinning reels and Maxima Ultra green on my level winds. During the nate season I'll do some drift fishing (in addition to jig fishing) with heavy line and don't have room for any backing on the reel. I like to 12 pound Izor on my float rods and 20 pound ultra green(15 pound leaders)on my drift rod.

My fishing buddy went with the Crystal Ivory last year. Its been working for him, so I bought my first 1/4 lb. spool of 12 lb. test. You get 1176 yards for $6.99, way cheaper than ultragreen, unless you go the service spool route. I'm using it as a low cost mainline, then using 2 lb. lighter U-green for the leader. Jigman a question.... just spooled my Okuma 30 with the Crystal Ivory, is it too stiff to work on this reel?? I have not made one cast with it yet, had a spool of Izorline in my hand but had no clue as to which one was the best on a spinning reel.........

I have yet to try the Crystal Ivory line, but I've heard good things about it. For the cost it's worth a try.

Spoonman, gave me a review of his thoughts on Crystal Ivory...lets just say that I won't be using it!

FJ...out

Crystal Ivory RULES!!!!!!!!!!! thats all i use and it hasnt let me down yet. my leader always breaks first if im using 2lbs lighter that the main. i like it better than UG for main line. you can get the 1100 yrd soppls at gi joes
Tyler

Still goin with the old guys theory on the stuff...sorry Tyler.

FJ...out.

I switched to Fireline on my drift rod. It's great.

I've got the dark-grey Fireline 8/20 test as my mainline on my big nate/springer stick. Run 15-17 lb. leaders off it, its a bit noisy going thru the guides but tough as nails.... What test Izorline do you run on your jig rods?

Sometimes you get what you pay for. Tried Crystal Ivory,would not use again.

Will pay a more and stick with ultra green.

I use Crystal Ivory on my baitcasters and have had zero problems with it. I used it for leader (10lb)on a landed 18.5 pound steelhead, not to mention many other steelhead.
I can't speak for it on a spinning reel, as I mainly use a spinning reel for float fishing and use Tuf-Line on it.
Everyone has their favorite equipment. I would recommend making your own evalution, rather than taking a single opinion as gospel. You might be suprised what you may like that someone else may dislike.

Jacob F, I too used Fireline for nearly a year. It has a small diameter. It is really strong. It does cast well. But experience has convinced me to go back to the U.G.. First off Fireline has zero stetch. I used to think that was a benifit, now I don't. I recently read an article in STS that expressed exactly what I found out the hard way this fall. I lost several really nice hooks that I probablly would have landed with the help of some stretchy mono. Second the Fireline quickly begins to fray on the first 30 yards that are always out of the reel. When it begins to get frayed I found that knot strenght is dramatically reduced. Keep these things in mind when using Fireline.
Ass far as using a blood knot to join new line to my reel, I will look into buying the U.G. in bulk, because I would hate to loose The Big One. But like a poster above said fly guys use them all the time. I have never had a fish take off 75yrds of line, but I would like to have one do so. That way I will find out for real if a blood knot is the way to go.

I found the Crystal Ivory way too stiff for my liking on a spinning reel, even in 10#. I used it on a drift rod........I could go either way....cost is nice but it ain't no UG regardless of Maxima's claim. After all, if it WAS UG....wouldn't UG be inexpensive too?

I'm a line ho. I go through vast amounts of it. I've had experiences in the past that led me to decide that good quality, fresh line is a solid investment.

I replace my line 100 yards at a time, not 60 or 70, because my the time the line is worn out I've already cut or broken off 30 yards of it! And I blood knot it to the old mono. I also use the blood knot flyfishing, and I even use a blood knot to attach my leader to the mainline on small streams or rivers where snagging on wood is likely - saves losing swivels all the time. I tie a real good improved blood knot and have rarely had one break before the leader does - it's one of the best holding knots there is. And while I have on occasion had a big fish get me into the backing, I have never lost one because of knotting new line to old - always broke him off at the leader when he spooled me.

No one else seems to use this stuff but I really like Duratuff XT on my steelhead reel - takes a lot of abrasion and is real good at holding knots. But I use Power Pro on my salmon reels - make real good downrigger line and I can lose a couple ounces when mooching because of it's tiny diameter. Don't us it jigging unless you use at least 6 feet of real streatchy leader material, however, learned that the hard way

First of all I buy my maxima in large spools. If I didnt I would spend big money on line...I replace my line after 8-10 hrs of use and yes I do blood knot mine and have never had a problem.I run my fingers down the line and check it out real well before I decide to cut it there...To me it doesnt matter how much you blood knot on when respooling just make sure all the shiaty line is gone...anything under 15 or 20 yards I dont bother blood knoting and replacing anything over that I do...

TM

i like to use gamakatsu for my line, i also use a blood knot with no problems.. 12 main (smoke) 10 leader (clear) i tried the maxima and found the Gamakatsu line to be stronger and last longer.

FS- I beg to differ that gami line is stronger then maxima..I have tried gami line and came up with the oppisite conclusion. Maxima is WAY stronger and is very abbrasion resistant.Which means it last longer too...TM

i bought some maxima and it was crap maybe it was a bad run of line.. had nicks all over the line broke really easy...

I think Dan S. is right about Crystal Ivory on a spinning reel. Set-up my 9' spin rod for side drifting 12 lb. mainline a small lead dropper & 4' 10 lb. leader. As soon as I got any slack in the line the C.I. started springing off in big loops, glad I tested it before hitting the river. I'd like to stay with 12 lb. on the reel, any suggestions? How does the Izorline compare to ultragreen in 12 lb. on a spinning reel....anyone

I can't believe nobody has mentioned the Berkely Big Game. I use that as my main line exclusively now. I think it is every bit as good as Maxima, I know some will disagree, but I am going on 4 years of using it with great results. I do like to add new line with the aid of a blood knot. I seldom get down to it, but when I do, I have the confidence that it will hold. Landed several big Silvers last fall and each one of them took me past the blood knot.

ive used berkley XL and big game on my spinning reels, and maxima UG on my levelwinds for a long time...ive never had a problem with them.

c-22,

UG in the 12# is going to give you fits too. It also has the tendency to jump off the reel whenever you have any slack line.

Ande 12# isn't nearly as strong as 12# Maxima, but it won't jump off the reel.

Stren and Berkley both make softer, limper lines that fish well off a spinning reel, but they aren't nearly as abrasion resistant as Max., so you have to feel your line for nicks all the time.

dan s i agree that 12lb maxima ug jumps off of a spinning reel alot, also i like big game but i like the crystal ivory a little more and its only about $1 more and you also get more of it.
tyler

No I have not but I am sure I will find out next week when you fish the noch on saturday

Berkley Big Game is my top choice for levelwinds, or any main line. Max UG always jumps off the spool on my ambassaduer, but is fine for spinning setups. You cant beat izorline leaders...

Power Pro is also a great line for the float rod.

Used to use Fireline a lot until it "bit-down" into the spool and siezed up. Lost a nice King. Can't beat it for jigging for Kings/Blackmouth in the salt tho. Heard rumours of Fireline abrading guides (on fishin poes) requiring frequent replacement.